In the upcoming NBA offseason, the Houston Rockets will be one of the many teams looking to address the point guard position in hopes of getting a star in the spot for the long-term. The Rockets settled on retaining Patrick Beverley for the 2014-15 season, but his season-ending injury is making it clear that there is a hole in the roster that needs attention. With Rajon Rondo preparing to hit the market, will he be the priority for the Rockets?
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets were one of the teams that were trying to trade for Rondo in the middle of the season when the Boston Celtics opted to send him to Dallas. Instead, the Rockets signed Josh Smith who has been an x-factor in the postseason while Rondo has simply disappeared and will not be seen for the remainder of the series in the playoffs. If Rondo does in fact hit the market, will the Rockets once again show interest?
According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Mavericks and Rondo will likely part ways at the end of the season. The relationship has not exactly been a smooth one between the two sides as the point guard and head coach Rick Carlisle continue to clash. Rondo is out for the remainder of their Rockets' playoff series with an injured back, but many speculate it is also because the point guard is simply not playing up to the stands Dallas wanted. According to Carlisle, the trade was worth the risk, but it could be time to move on.
"In the case of anything, there is risk, but there are risks worth taking," Carlisle said, via ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. "That trade was a risk worth taking. We all agreed on that. Now, we're at a point where, hey, it's time to move on. I think we all did what we could do, and I think he did what he could do. Now, it's over and we've got to move our attention to Game 3. It's just the way it went."
According to Bleacher Report, the Rockets are one of five teams in the league that would be wise to explore a deal for Rondo. Beverley will be a restricted free agent in the upcoming summer. The Rockets are in need of a solid point guard to compliment James Harden and Dwight Howard. Right now Smith is running point on the court and while that is working out it might not be the best long-term solution. Add in the fact that Smith and Rondo are long-time friends and the Rockets matchup appears perfect.
